FOR A GOOD CAUSE:Making a hands-on contribution

Corona del Mar High School senior Kevin Holland will have no problem completing his 40-hour community service requirement prior to graduating next year.

In his capacity as the school’s Community Service Commissioner, the 16-year-old planned and organized a trip to the Odienya village in Kenya, where he, along with four of his classmates and two teachers, will help build a health clinic in August.

“I wanted to make more of a hands-on contribution instead of just making monetary donations,” Kevin said. “I realized I had all the possible resources to make a project like this happen, so I put it together.”

After searching several nonprofit organizations for a suitable program, Kevin settled on the Global Citizens Network, a Minnesota-based group committed to cross-cultural understanding and enhancing the quality of life globally.

Currently, the nearest public health facility is more than 10 miles away from Odienya.

The new clinic will be built on a site donated by the government of Kenya, which will also staff and fund the site, and the community has also donated 1,000 clay bricks to begin construction and eight villagers have formed a committee to oversee its operation.

“What we don’t realize is that people are dying every single day in Africa because of malnutrition, lack of medication and lack of appropriate health services,” Kevin said. “If they had a hospital in their village and some medication nearby, they wouldn’t have to be dying at that rate.”

While working on the project, the students and teachers — accompanied by Kevin’s father, Van, and Global Citizens Network team leader Eden Rock — will immerse themselves fully in the local culture, participating in local traditions, living in community homes in Odienya and eating meals prepared by a native cook.

Participants will also teach English, math and AIDS awareness at the area school.

“You get to know a country and its people so much better when you are interacting directly with them and living in their culture compared to taking the tourist route where you only meet other tourists,” said Jennifer Walters, one of two teachers going on the trip. “It is important to get out of the bubble to learn more about the world and who’s out there.”

When 16-year-old Lisa Weglarz heard about the trip, she applied immediately, adding that she desperately wanted to go to Africa after watching Disney’s “The Lion King.”

Max Rollins, Catherine Donnelly and Chloe Rome were also selected for the trip from among 20 applicants.

“I don’t really know what to expect,” Lisa said. “It’s going to be in the middle of nowhere.”

Lisa anticipates the return home to be the most difficult portion of the trip.

“I think it’s going to be hard looking at things the same as before,” she said. “I’m sure they will appreciate the little things more.”

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HOW TO HELP

The group of Corona del Mar High School students is seeking financial support from community members to help fund the trip as well as the cost of construction materials to build the health clinic. To make a donation or for more information, go to www.cdmhskenyatrip.com.